A PET lover has condemned the "callous and inhumane" actions of the "evil" person who shot her cat.

The six-year-old cat had to be put down by a vet after being badly injured in the Orchard Croft/Marbella Green area of Lowestoft. An X-ray showed she had been shot in the spine.

Her heartbroken owner is now calling on local people to help track down the person responsible,

“People in the area of Lowestoft where this happened need to be aware that my cat was shot and had to be put to sleep,” said the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“She went missing between 9am and noon on Thursday, June 23, and after searching and putting letters through people’s doors, I finally found her after 22 hours later in a garden in Orchard Croft.”

After finding her cat, she said the events that followed were harrowing.

“She was in a dreadful state. She couldn’t use her back legs and her front paws and claws were torn, presumably trying to drag herself home, and so I took her straight to the vets. After an X-ray it was discovered that she had been shot in the spine – severing her spinal cord and paralysing her from the waist down.

“I was absolutely devastated to have to put her to sleep because she wasn’t just a pet she was my companion.

“But looking back, I’m so glad I found her, otherwise she could have laid there for days before she finally died.”

The woman said: “All I want is help in finding the person responsible for this before it happens again. I would also like to say to the person who did this evil thing that you are sick, callous and inhumane to inflict so much pain and suffering on a defenceless animal.

“I find it hard to believe that nobody in the Orchard Croft area saw or heard my cat’s cries of distress. If there is someone out there with any information regarding my cat would you please ring Lowestoft police.”

l Police confirmed the incident was being treated as a deliberate act of animal cruelty and are asking anyone with information to call PCSO Lloyd Sandeno on 01986 835300.